San Juans - the Nose

[Mofro261]

Read the room, man. You're out of line.

Read the room? One could go one click away and read the prelim report for the answer instead.

https://avalanche.state.co.us/caic/a...70&view=public

Preliminary Report: On February 1, 2021, a group of backcountry skiers triggered a large avalanche between the towns of Silverton and Ophir.





Condolences to the families and friends of the departed.

[warthog]

Shit, I knew one of the victims through mutual friends, my deepest thoughts to the families and community.

Glade, I am thinking there will be plenty of time for discussion on this. In my opinion that time isnt yet.

Just heard about this today. All 3 were friends of friends. So shitty. Hope you are well mang.

[Tech Tonics]

https://www.vaildaily.com/news/eagle...8zwA30_HNGEvoQ

Sending love to the Eagle/Vail community. So sad.

[Tech Tonics]

PRESS RELEASE San Juan County, Colorado
Silverton Colo.: Wednesday February 3rd. The Ophir Pass avalanche recovery operation accomplished extracting the three missing skiers from Monday’s avalanche. The victims have been recovered but still need to be removed from the area via helicopter. The weather was too adverse for helicopter operations on Wednesday. Ground teams worked all day from 6:00AM to 6:00PM

San Juan County Sheriff’s Dept., Office of Emergency Management, San Juan County Search & Rescue, La Plata County Search & Rescue, Silverton Mountain Medical crew, and CAIC were all involved in today's operation. La Plata County SAR brought in a snowcat to remove 12-foot-high avalanche debris on the road from yesterday’s avalanche that ran naturally in the area. Avalanche activity impeded the recovery mission and needed to be removed in order to retrieve the trapped snowmobiles and equipment that were used on Tuesday’s operations. All equipment was successfully extracted from the accident area today and the recovery mission ended with the successful goal of retrieving the three skiers. The skiers were wearing beacons which enabled a successful identifiable location. They were buried in 20 plus feet of avalanche debris. Due to the rugged terrain and avalanche debris, a helicopter retrieval of the three skiers is now required. The next open window of weather permitting will allow the final step of this recovery mission to happen and complete this operation. The final step will be transferring the persons to the San Juan County Coroner's office for positive identification.

PLEASE CONTINUE TO AVOID THE OPHIR PASS AREA

Avalanche danger in the backcountry is always unpredictable regardless of your avalanche knowledge and skills. It is critical to check the avalanche forecast and avalanche danger prior to venturing into the backcountry. Check the Colorado Avalanche Information Center (CAIC) for avalanche conditions, have your equipment of beacon, shovel, probe and make a plan for communications with your ski group.

[Meadow Skipper]

20 plus feet of debris...fuck.

[Tech Tonics]

20’. RIP. Devastating.

[John_B]

Damn. Condolences to all that knew the victims.

[Lvovsky]

Vibes to all affected by this tragic accident

[SkiBall]

Just placed one of those names, didn’t know him directly. Just fucking sad. Vibes to all involved.

[2FUNKY]

Wow. Mad vibes for for friends and family of the lost ones. RIP snow sliders. So sad.
The pics are unreal. The chainsaw usage is interesting.

[hatchgreenchile]

I can’t imagine doing a grid search and not seeing a number lower than ~6.5. What a horrifying moment that must have been

To the mags who knew them, I am very sorry for your loss.

[Vt-Freeheel]

Can't even imagine 20' deep. Vibes to all touched by this disaster.

[Kinnikinnick]

20’. RIP. Devastating.

Guy’s using a chainsaw to cut into the debris in one picture


Sent from my iPhone using TGR Forums

[powdork]

I assume the chainsaw is brought as a matter of course because trees but comes in handy for debris especially 20' deep debris that's settled for 2 days.

[Hacksaw]

Similar to Sheep Creek in 2013.

[montanaskier]

If any of you want to support these families.


As the community of Eagle, our heart has been broken, but together, somehow, we will get though this.

If you'd like to support the families, their information is here:

Amanda and Andy Jessen
https://gofund.me/27e8bc73
Kalie and Adam Palmer
https://gofund.me/956ba1dc
Cindy and Seth Bossung
https://gofund.me/b30121d0

Please also hold the surviving members of the group in your hearts as they bravely move forward.


Sent from my iPhone using TGR Forums

[Name Redacted]

Similar to Sheep Creek in 2013.

Bad memories, lost a few friends in that one too.

I’m pretty much over BC skiing in CO at this point. Especially in mid winter. Might have to move to the west coast. Shit is getting depressing.

[BFD]

Bad memories, lost a few friends in that one too.

I’m pretty much over BC skiing in CO at this point. Especially in mid winter. Might have to move to the west coast. Shit is getting depressing.

better rule out Alaska
https://www.adn.com/alaska-news/anch...-troopers-say/

[Name Redacted]

better rule out Alaska
https://www.adn.com/alaska-news/anch...-troopers-say/

Not looking to change the subject here from the avalanche in Silverton, but CO has far more avalanche deaths than anywhere else in the country year after year. Shitty Continental snowpack being a very big reason for that. Over it.

[simple]

I feel ya. Step away from the internet for a few days. You will find more peace that way. RIP

[grrrmountainman]

FUCK. Condolences and vibes from north of the border here. Hits hard.

[Bunion 2020]

Not looking to change the subject here from the avalanche in Silverton, but CO has far more avalanche deaths than anywhere else in the country year after year. Shitty Continental snowpack being a very big reason for that. Over it.

Snow pack doesn't kill people. Peoples decisions are at the root of the problem.

Vibes for those left behind that have to deal with the grief and loss.

[skiracer88_00]

Not looking to change the subject here from the avalanche in Silverton, but CO has far more avalanche deaths than anywhere else in the country year after year. Shitty Continental snowpack being a very big reason for that. Over it.

Personally, I have stopped skiing anything consequential in the backcountry mid-winter. There is plenty of good skiing to be had within ski area boundaries that doesn't carry significant risk of leaving my 4 kids without a father. All of the waist deep powder on earth isn't worth that.

Colorado still has one of the best spring "peak bagging" seasons anywhere.

Sincere condolences to the friends and family of the victims.

[skaredshtles]

<snip> 4 kids

++vibes

[Boissal]

Heartbreaking story.
I can't even wrap my head around a 20' burial. The chainsaw puts it in perspective.